Jimmy Carter helps Seattle celebrate World Affairs Council

Former President Jimmy Carter at The University of Washington in 2006.

The Associated Press

There’s a lot of talk in recent years about Seattle being a global city. That vision goes back a long ways. Seattle’s World Affairs Council is celebrating its 60th birthday this week.

Former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter helped mark the milestone, in front of a sold-out Paramount Theater last night.

Carter praised the idea of looking outward beyond our borders.

"My wife and I have visited more than a 130 nations, and I see how vital it is that the United States remain globally engaged as the leader," he said. "The world needs an America that is economically sound, socially attractive and very powerful, but also trusted and respected."

Carter also said he believes in building a strong military, and spending on weapons systems that help project strength. It’s part of what he calls “waging peace.”

He’d like to see America use its superpower role as a peacemaker and as a champion of generosity. Much of his work these days is aimed at fighting poverty and supporting human rights. Carter’s non-profit center spends 80 percent of its budget on health care projects.

The World Affairs Council was launched in 1951 in Seattle, and serves as a hub for dialog about all manners of world affairs.